Last frost date in Lafayette, LA

Average last frost
February 26

The average last frost in Lafayette is February 26. By March 20 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 28, which leaves 279 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 7 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 20
Average first frost
Nov 28
Frost-free season
279 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 5
Next 7 nights in Lafayette

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2256°
  2. FriOct 2355°
  3. SatOct 2453°
  4. SunOct 2555°
  5. MonOct 2656°
  6. TueOct 2757°
  7. WedOct 2856°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 26First frost Nov 28279 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND279 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Lafayette, 2.4 miles from Lafayette.

Planting calendar for Lafayette

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Louisiana.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMar 5–Mar 19
PumpkinsMar 12–Mar 26
SunflowersFeb 26–Mar 19
CucumbersMar 12–Mar 19
CornMar 5–Mar 19
Sweet potatoesMar 19–Apr 2
WatermelonMar 12–Mar 26
Green beansMar 5–Mar 26
ZucchiniMar 5–Mar 19
OkraMar 19–Apr 2
PeppersMar 12–Mar 26
BasilMar 5–Mar 19
Butternut squashMar 5–Mar 19
CantaloupeMar 12–Mar 26
EggplantMar 12–Mar 26
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 29–Feb 12
OnionsJan 15–Feb 5
CarrotsFeb 5–Mar 12
LettuceFeb 12–Mar 5
BroccoliJan 29–Feb 12
BeetsJan 29–Mar 12
PeasJan 15–Jan 29
CabbageJan 29–Feb 12
RadishesJan 22–Mar 5
Brussels sproutsFeb 12–Feb 26
SpinachJan 15–Feb 5
CilantroFeb 12–Mar 5
KaleJan 29–Feb 12
Collard greensJan 29–Feb 12
TurnipsJan 29–Feb 12
DillFeb 26–Mar 12
CeleryMar 5–Mar 12
CauliflowerFeb 12–Feb 26
LeeksFeb 12–Feb 26
Swiss chardFeb 12–Mar 12
ParsleyFeb 12–Mar 5
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 14–Dec 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 29–Feb 12
AsparagusJan 29–Feb 12

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 29Feb 26Mar 20Nov 7Nov 28Dec 26
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 2Feb 5Mar 8Nov 18Dec 14Jan 18

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Lafayette (USC00165021) sits 2.4 miles from the center of Lafayette at 25 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Lafayette, LA?

The average last frost date in Lafayette is February 26, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 20.

When is the first frost in Lafayette?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 28. One year in ten it arrives before November 7.

How long is the growing season in Lafayette?

About 279 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Lafayette?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 5 to March 19. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Louisiana

All 26 cities in Louisiana